Apparatus for indicating alignment



Dec. 30, 19410 P. FIDELMAN ARFARATUS FOR INDIGATING ALIGNMENT,

Filed Aug. 3, '1940 3 Sheets-Sheet. l

P. FIDELMA'N 2,268,113 APPARATUS FDR INDICATING ALIGNMENT Filed Aug. 5, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 3 i NVENTOR TTORN EYS Patented Dec. 30, 1941 U NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS -'FOR INDICATIN G ALIGNMENT Paul Fidelman, New York, N. Y.

Application August 3, 1940, Serial'No. 351,000

9 Claims.

Theinvention relates to an improvement in apparatusfor indicating thealignment of .a plurality of objects, such as the alignment of :a straight, elongatedelement with aspotorsmall disk. More particularly,theinvention isanimprovement in apparatus for indicating whether pointed rifle or other firearm isaccurately in alignment with a bull's eye, and for indicating how much out of alignment the rifle is withthe bulls eye when the person aiming the Lrifle or other firearm decides he has accurately aligned the firearm with the bulls eye. In its general applicationthe-apparatus of the inventionis employed andis particularly adapted foruse in instruotingbeginnersin shooting with a rifle or otherfirearm to align the rifle accurately with .theobject to be hit, typically, the bulls eye of a'target. .It is assumed that the rifle or other flrearmiis of regulationsize andis equipped with the usual sightsor other aligning devices which the: shooter or aimer of the rifle aligns with the bulls eye. One object of the invention is to providemeans connected with the rifle or other firearmif or indicating to an instructorhow'nearly the rifle of the subjectis in alignment with the .xbulls eye, so thatthe instructor. may tellIthe subject in what direction to point or move the firing endof the rifle to align itaccurately with the bulls eye. Another object of the invention isztorenable the aimer of the rifle .to lock it in aimed position and then :ascertain for himself [from the alignment xindicatingmeans whether theaim-was accurate. and if not, how far out of alignment the aim was, and in what direction theyrifle should be moved to make the aim ;ac-

curate, that .is, align the rifle barrel with the objective. A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the shooting at tar- :gets at various distances may be simulated within a short space. Other objects of the invention will appear as the description of the improved salignment apparatus proceeds.

"To .the accomplishment of these objects, the improvedlalignment-apparatus of the present inlvention .provides direction indicating =means for :attachment to a straight,-elongated implement,

:such :as the barrel of 5a rifleorother firearm, which will move correspondingly to the move- :ment of l the :rifle .barrel1to indicate how *nearly dthe .rifle .barrel is in alignment withithe 'object ito beeshot atpasthe bull seye of the target. The

direction iin'dicatingmeans, "which may convenien'tly :beindicators or pointers are "moved over graduationsona chart or scale. 'Sinceit-is only rneeessar-y to move the firing =end of a rifle bar- ".relrvertically and horizontally, or a combination of the two movements, in crder toalign' the rifle .barrel with the objective only two pointers are :required. One pointer indicates by its "position .cn'tthe scale the elevation of 'the rifle barrel,

that is,.-whether it is pointed below or above the objective, .and .the other needle indicates the .windageof the rifle barrel, that is, whether it is pointed to the left or to the right of the objective. The elevation and windage scales may be on separate charts arranged suitably accordticn lthat the sights of the rifle are. properly aligned with the .bu-lls eye or other objective .and .he communicates that conclusion to the j instructor, the latter, by looking at the chart can .tell from .theposition of the pointers on the .graduaticnsof the scales whether the firing end .of the rifle is :too higher too low and whether :itis too :much :to the left or too much'to the. :right and h-ow muchthe rifleis out of alignment. The instructor can then informthe subjecthow much :to move the rifle barrel to bring it into accurate alignment with the bulls eye, and 'meansare provided for making a record of the aim. The same sequence can be followed by the operatorhimself by first locking the rifle in aimed position, noting the positions of thepointers, and recording the aim.

.The improved alignment. indicating apparatus together'with the firearm or other straight elongated .aimable implement and the objective, the target, .may convenientlybe mounted in and on a portable .elongated box-like receptacle mountable .on any portable or fixedadjustable (vertical) standard or support.

Theaccompanying drawingsillustrate the preierred "form of the invention. Fig. 1 is a side elevationlof the box-like receptacle carrying the improved .alignment indicating apparatus, the

standard being shown partly in section, and the :butt endrof the rifle .being shown projecting from. the box; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal vertical section.

through the upper partof the apparatus shown in Fig. Land disclosing the riflein side elevation; Fig, 3 is the section taken on the line *3-3 of'Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2, and looking in the directionof the arrows; Fig. 5

is an enlarged vertical section, partly .in side elevation, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Figs.

'6 and 7 are transverse sections taken on the lines 6-45 and 1-7, respectively, of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 8 .is a sectional elevation taken on the line '8-8 of Fig. 2; "Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the elevation andwindage chart and showing the connection of the indicatorsor pointers'with the cordsconnected with the rifle barrel; Fig. -10 is a longirifle projects.

tudinal section taken on the line ||D of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional detail showing the adjustable connection between the rifle barrel and the cords connected with the pointer for indicating windage; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the electric light circuit; Fig. 13 is a top plan view of a chart for the use of the instructor in recording any deviation of the alignment of the rifle with the bulls eye as indicated by the position of the pointers for registering elevation and windage.

Although the alignment indicating apparatus of the present invention may be employed for many purposes where it is desired to align a straight, elongated element'with a point or spot, the invention will be described as applied to the alignment of a rifle of usual construction with the center or bulls eye of a target, since this use of the apparatus is typical of the uses to which the apparatus can be put. The rifle comprises generally the barrel supporting part I of the stock and the butt l6, a trigger H, and the barrel 3 supported in the stock and providedwith the usual rear. or peep-hole sight l9 and the front or muzzle sight 28. The rear sight i9 is adjustable vertically on the slotted guide Id. The barrel portion ll! of the rifle and its supporting stock I5 are enclosed in an elongated box-like structure, generally indicated at 2| in Fig :1. The box 2| is rectangular in length and square in cross section and comprises a bottom 22, a front wall 24,

a rear wall 25, a two-section, hinged top or cover 26, a solid front end 21, and an apertured rear end 28 through which the butt portion of the The opening 29 in the rear end 28 of thelbox 2| is of such size that the butt end of the rifle may be moved freely vertically and sidewise so that'the operator or learner may point the barrel of the rifle at any point on the target 3| mounted on the inner face of the front end 21 of the elongated box. The target may consist'of a card removably held in the vertical guides 32 secured to the inner face of the wall 21. To simulate different distances on the rifle range, cards with differentsizes of bulls eye 33 will be used. When the alinement indicating apparatu's is in use the target 3| is illuminated by .means of .a bulb 35 located in a manually-controlled .circuit 36 (indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 12)., the switch 3'! of which is shown in Fig. 1 located on. the outer surface of the front wall 24 of the box.

The elongated box-like structure 2| with its contentsmay be mounted on a standard or support 38 Since the alignment indicating apparatus Will be used by persons of different height,

the rifle mounted in the box 2| can be adjusted to the height of the shoulder of the user by means of a screw 39 projecting downwardly from the under surface of the bottom 22 of the box 2| and received loosely within the standard 38. y The adjustment of the height of the box is effected by means of the hand operated nut d0 threaded on the screw 39 and bearing against the top of the standard. The apparatus as a whole is secured in its adjusted vertical position by means of the wing'screw 4| which. is threaded into the upper endfof the standard 38. and takes against the screw 39.

The rifle or other firearm or elongated instrument is supported swivelly at substantially its center of gravity by means of a ball and socket construction, the socket part 33 of which is mounted on the-upper surface of one end of the supporting portion I5 of the rifle. pulley 58 the section 63 of, the cord passes over 2,268,113 7 H v I V, H

bottom 22 of the box 2| and the ballportion 44 of which depends from the under surface of the stock of the rifle at its center of gravity. A lock rod 45 passing through a hole in the front wall 24 of the box 2| and connected at its inner end with the two-armed locking device 46 on the ball and socket joint secures the rifle in any aligned position when that is considered desirable. The outer end of the lock rod is provided with the handle 42. Normally, the lock rod 45 will be turned to such point that the rifle may be moved freely in aiming it at the target 3|. To assist the user in handling and aiming the rifle, a handle 4'! is provided projecting downwardly from the under surface of the rifle stock at a point just forward of its center of gravity or point of balance. The handle ll extends through an'opening in the bottom wall 22 0f the box.

through the peep-hole. sight i9 and the front sight 2|! and moving the rifle accordingly, the

apparatus of the present invention provides two separately operated pointers, located on the outside'surface of the front wall 24 of the box 2|.

The pointer 50 indicates by its position on the left hand scale of the chart 5| whether the rifle barrel is in vertical alignment with the bulls eye or whether it is above or below the bulls eye;

and the pointer 52 by itsposition on the right hand scale of the chart 5| indicates whether the rifle'barrel is in horizontal alignment with the .bulls eye or is to the right or to the left of it.

When both pointers 50 and 52 are opposite the central zero mark 53 of thechart 5|, that indicates that the rifle barrel is in accurate alignthe target 3| and are calibrated to the particular target in-use. In this connection it will be understood that to simulate shooting on a range of 200 yards length, or 400 or 600 yards, targets of different sizedbulls eyes and circles are used, and

that each target has its corresponding elevation and windage chart.

I The pointer 50 which serves to indicate the elevation of the muzzle of the rifle with respect to the bulls eye 33 is secured to a vertically-arranged cord 56 which passes over. an upper pulley 5'! and a lower pulley 58 located in a vertical slot ,in the wall 24 of the box 2| and journaled in the wall 24.

From the upper pulley 51 the cord passes as the section 59 arounda lower pulley 60 to a bracket 6| secured to one side of the barrel From the the upper pulley 64 down to the upper arm 65 of the bracket 6 I. The pulley 60 is mounted in a journal block 66 resiliently attached to the bottom 22 of the box 21 by means of the contraction spring 61. The journal 68, in which the pulley 64 mounted is resiliently pulled upwardly by means of the contraction spring 69 attached to the outer end of the bracket 10 secured to the uppfir end of, the inner surface of the wall 24 of downwardly from the :rifle stock I15.

instruction in rifle shooting:

therbox 21. By meansv'of;this;arrangement1the itiwouldrhit'theiltarget13! at about the point 90. pointer-5 instantlyrespondsttosthe averticalppositions :of the barrel ll 8 :of '1 the; rifle .and .yet .does

notchange its indicating-position,irrespective .of

the (horizontal, positions of thearifle.

Thelpointer :52 which by its vertical positions on the right hand scale of thezchartil :indicates whether the rifle 'barrel, iill 'alinement shorizontally with the bulls eye of the target, kissecured 'toa vertical cord 12, the upper portionrof which passes over a pulley :13 mounted inuthe sides of;a verticalslotM cutsin thewall 24 of the box 2! and the IOWBIiSBClJiOnzOf WhiChIDfiSSBS over the pulley lmountediin the sidesuiof the ;slot*l-4. From the pulley 131the cordllpasses.

perforated plate 82 which loosely embraces the lower end of the threaded rod :83 extending The plate 82 is held in adjusted vertical ,positionon therod between the check nuts 84. Frompthegplate 82 the cord extends as the section 86 to the .pulley 15 and thence to the pointer 52.

The alignment indicating apparatus is used in the following manner, assuming it tobe usedfor The pupil places the rifle butt extending from the box 2|. against the shoulder of one arm, grasps with the hand of the other arm the handle 41, and places the ine -dex finger of the first arm against the trigger 11.

lowed by the instructor who watchesthe move- ..ments of the elevation and windage pointers 50 and 52. When the pupil thinks-he has properly aligned the rifle with the bulls eye, he lets the instructor know. Ifboth pointers are directed to the zero mark 53, that indicatesgthatthezpupil has accurately aimed the rifle. Assumin how- ,ever, that the elevation pointer 50 is opposite the number 4 above the zero point on theleft hand or elevation scale of the "chart 5| and that the windage pointer 52 is opposite .the number :2 above the zero point onlthe right hand scale of the chart, the instructor will tell.the pupil to lower the muzzle ,of theriflesomewhat and to move the muzzlevslightly to the left. By following the instructors directions the pupilflnally brings the rifle barrel into alignment with the Where itis desired to make .a record of the 'pupils performance when he has. decided -herhas aimed the rifle so as to score a bulls eye, the instructor. secures the rifle aimedpositionby manipulating the handle 42 totighten the clamp 46"on'the ball and socket joint and 43. ,I-le then makes a record of vtheaim on the graphic recording chart 88 shown in Fig. 13. Assuming, as noted above, that the elevationjpointer 5lltis opposite the upper number on the left hand scale of the chart 5! and that the pointer 52 is opposite the lower numberl2 on therlght hand scaleof the 'chart, the aimwill berecor'ded at thepoint 89 .on therecording chart88, indicatingthat if a 'bull'ethad been fired from the rifle objective.

Having thus l described ithe invention what ,I claim as newiisr l. An.apparatusafor.indicating the de ree of alignment :of a. straight, elongated, movable timxplement with an objective, comprising .a movable elevation ipointer, connections :between the elevation pointer and the implement whereby the elevation pointer is moved correspondingly to the vertical movements of the implement, -a movable second pointer, connections between'the second pointer and the implement whereby the second pointer is moved correspondingly to the horizontal "movements of 1 the implement, :a graduated scale over whichthe pointersarearranged to 'move,said scale having a zero .point, all of said parts being soar-ranged andcalibrated that when the two pointers are at thezeropointth elongated implement is in alignment :with the '2. An .apparatus for indicating the degree of alignment of a 'straight,=elongated, movable-implement with an objective, comprising a verticall-y-arranged chart-havinga scale thereon with a zero point, an if elevation .pointer .arrangedto move vertically in front of the chart,' connec- "tions between the'elevation pointer and :the implement whereby the elevation pointer is moved over thechartcorrespondingly to the vertical movementsof the implement, a second pointer arranged to move vertically in 'iront of the chart,

connections between the second pointer the implement whereby the second pointer is moved over the chart correspondingly to the horizontal movements of the implement, a1l of said parts being so arranged and calibrated: that .when'sthe two pointers areat the zero point on the "chart the implementis-in alignment with the objective.

. -3;.An 'apparatustforindicating the .:degree of alignment of a straight, elongated, .movableiinplement with .an objective, comprising a svertically-rarranged chart havingla .scaleithereon with a zero point, an elevation upointer arranged to move verticallyin front:of the chart,.cords connecting the pointer with the "implement, raflplu- :rality not, pulleys rover which 1 the cords pass from thepointer to the implementwhereby the pointer is moved over the chart correspondingly to Pthe verticalmovements .of theimplement, assecond pointer arranged: to move "Vertically infrontlof the chart, cords connecting .thelsecond pointer with the implement, a plurality of pulleys over which the cords from the second pointer .,-to the implement pass whereby the second pointerxis moved vertically over the chart correspondingly to, the horizontal movements of the implement,

all of said parts being s arrangedand calibrated that when the two ,pointers. are at the. zero point on the chart the implement is. in alignrnent with the objective. 1

callyarranged chart having alscale thereon with a zero point, an elevation pointer aarranged 5110 move vertically infront'of the chart,-,a-cor.d ccnnecting the upper edge .of thetpointer .with-lthe implement, anupper pulley over which the cord passes, a second cord connecting theloweredge of the-pointer with theimplement, a lower pulley over which the second cord passes; and 'axsecond upper pulley anda second lowe-rrpulley yieldingly mounted over "which. .the' aflrst ,cordwan'd the second :cord pass, respectively, wherebywhensthe implement .movles vertioallycth'e:elevationzpointer moves vertically. correspondingly, a' second pointer arranged to move vertically. in front of the chart; an endless cord connecting the second pointer with the implement, pulleys over which the endless cord passes whereby the implement is moved horizontally the second pointeris moved vertically, all of said parts being so arranged and calibrated that when the two pointers are at the zero point on the chart the implement is in vertically in front of the chart, connections between the elevation pointer and the rifle whereby the elevation pointer is moved vertically over the chart. correspondingly to the vertical movements of the rifle, a windage pointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart, connections between the windage pointer and the rifle whereby the windage pointer is moved vertically over the chart correspondingly to the horizontal movements of the rifle, all of said parts being so arranged and calibrated that when the two pointers are at the zero point on the chart the implement o isin alignment with the objective.

6. An apparatus for indicating the degree of alignment of a rifle barrel with the bulls-eye of a 5' target, comprising an elongated rectangular box closed on its four sides and on one end, the other end of the box having an opening, means for swivelly supportingthe rifle longitudinally in the box with its muzzle pointing at the closed end of the box and its butt end projecting through the open end of the box, the target being removablysupported on the inner surface of the closed end of the box, means for illuminating the target, a

graduated chart having a zero point mounted on the outer surface of one wall of the box parallelly with the longitudinal axis of the rifle, an e'levation pointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart, connections between the elevation pointer of the rifle whereby the elevation pointer is moved vertically correspondingly to the vertical movements of the rifle, a windage pointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart, connections between the windage pointer and the rifle whereby the windage pointer is moved verranged and calibrated that when the two pointers are at the zero point on the chart the rifle is in alignment with the bulls-eye.

7. An apparatus for indicating the degree of alignment of a riflebarrel with the bulls-eye,

of a target, comprising an elongated rectangular box closed on its four sides and on one end, the other end'of the box having an opening, means for swivelly supporting the rifle longitudinally in the box with its muzzle pointing at the closed end of the box and its butt end projecting through the open end of the box, the target being removably supported onthe inner surface of the closed end of the box, means for illuminating the target, a graduated chart having a zero point mounted on the outer surface of one wall of the box parallelly with the longitudinal axis of the rifle, an elevation pointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart, connections between the elevation pointer of the rifle whereby the tically correspondingly to the horizontal movements of the rifle, all of said parts being so ar-.

elevation pointer is moved vertically correspond- -ingly to the vertical movements of the rifle, a

windagepointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart, connections between the windage pointer and the rifle whereby the windage pointer is moved vertically correspondingly to the horizontal movements of the rifle, all of said parts being so arranged and calibrated that when the two pointers are at the zero point on the chart the rifle is in alignment with the bulls-eye, and means for locking the rifle in aimed position.

8. An apparatus for indicating the degree of aligmnent of a rifle barrel with the bulls-eye of a target, comprising an elongated rectangular box closed on its four sides and on one end, the other end of the box having an opening, means for swivelly supporting the rifle longitudinally in the box with its muzzle pointing at the closed end of the box and its butt end projecting through the open end of the box, the target being removably supported on the inner surface of the closed end of the box, means for illumihating the target, a graduated chart having a zero point mounted on the outer surface of one wall of the box parallelly with the longitudinal axis of the rifle, an elevation pointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart, connections between the elevation pointer of the rifle whereby the elevation pointer is moved vertically correspondingly to the vertical movements of the rifle, a windage'pointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart, connections between the windage pointer and the rifle whereby the windage pointer is moved vertically correspondingly to the'horizontal movements of the rifle, all of said'parts being so arranged and calibrated that when the two pointers are at the zero point on the chart therifle is in alignment with the bulls-eye, and means for adjusting the apparatus vertically and locking the apparatus in vertical adjusted position.

9. An apparatus for indicating the degree of alignment of a rifle barrel with the bulls-eye of a target, comprising an elongated rectangular box closed on its four sides and on one end, the

other end of the ,box having an opening therethrough,;means for swivelly supporting the rifle longitudinally in the box with its muzzle pointing at the closed end of the box and its butt end projecting throughthe open end of the box, the target being removably mounted on the inner surface of the closed end of the box, means for illuminating the target, a graduated chart having a zero oint mounted on the outer surface of one wall of the box parallelly with the longitudinal axis of the rifle, an elevation pointer arranged to move vertically in front of the chart,

connections between the elevation pointer and one'side of the rifle including cords and pulleys over which the cords pass arranged so that the pointer moves Vertically correspondingly to the vertical movements of the rifle, a windage pointer arranged tofmove vertically in front of the chart, connections between the windage pointer and the lower side of the barrel of the rifle including a cord and pulleys over which the cord passes arranged so that the .windage pointer is moved vertically correspondingly to the horizontal move- .rnents of the rifle, all of said parts being so arranged. and calibrated that when the, two pointers-are at the zero point on the chart the rifle barrel is in alignment with the bulls-eye of the target.

7 PAUL FIDELMAN. 

